Good Question, and one we have worked on in the North West for the last 30 years. First, you have to realize that only a small percent of the beach cat sailors race, probably less than 15%. So, to make your Fleet, Club, or School grow you have to have more than a racing program and you have to have a lot of dedicated volunteers. US SAILING had a great program called "Fast and Fun" that took eight Hobie Waves around the country, and had free sailing programs using volunteers.
This program is now continued by local groups, like our Sail Sand Point, see www.sailsandpoint.org. We now have five Waves, all donated, that are used in our sailing schools, open sailing, and "Fast and Fun" free outreach programs. Our local Hobie dealer, Hobie Cats Northwest, passed through the boats at their cost. We also support the dealer by helping out at the Boat Shows, with the set up and assisting in the booths.

Peter Nelson and Laura Sullivan conduct Hobie 101 and 102, open to all catamarans, to help new sailors to learn to sail their cats. The program is held at Sail Sand Point, Seattle's Community Sailing Center, and has had a steady growth over the last three years.

We do see a growth in Multihull Sailors and increased sales of Multihulls. It takes a team effort of the Dealers and local volunteers.

Caleb Tarleton
Hobie Cat Div. 4 and Fleet 95
Sail Sand Point
US SAILING Multihull Council